The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-25

| seated on the side next to his passage. L soon
| heard him stealing back, and before the mar
rator was we'll started in his story, I caught
sight of the dusky face peering cautiously in at
the door.
''In the winter of 1862 - the gentleman began.
81 was one of the line officers of a volunteer
regiment IN the Army of the Cumberland. The
army was lying about Nashville. Tenn with
Bragg, some thirty miles from Murfreesboro.
About the Goth of that month outposts had
been pushed forward ON the road to Murfrees-
boro. the right and left little refused and our
rear protected by the Cumberland river. 1t was
pretty generally understood that there would be
| a tight or a footrace in the neighhorhood of
| Tulahoma where the confederates held
strong position which was supposed to be well
| fortified as, indeed, it would have been had
| soon after a little earlier. We were about in
| the center. and those of us who had got over
| the idea that warfare holiday business, as
| most of us had for division was on the left
at Perryville and was roughly handled there,
| were beginning to forecast our part in the COM
| ing conflict with something like trepidation.
On that day was unexpectedly called upon to
act as assistant adjutant general on the staff of
/ the colonel commanding the brigade, and the
next day we received orders to be ready to
march without baggage except two tents for the
brigade headquarters. Where we were to go
| we had idea-that is the troops had not-the
| colonel commanding and his A. A. G. being the
| only intrusted with that knowledge. In
the early morning we passed through the silent
| camp to the sleeping city, crossed the river.
| and by sunrise had made good half days
march to the southeastward The colonel was
| proud of the locomotive power of his and
never missed an opportunity to display it. 1t
had showed all morning and what with the cold.
and the snow. and the uncertainty in regard to
their destination the soldiers were in that most
unpleasant of all conditions of mind. mixture
OF apprehension and discomfort.
Where we goingr was the universal
query. Of course, l pleaded ignorance. The
colonel refused to give information and nobody
else knew.
"As we bore steadily to the northward opinions
varied as to whether were sent in pursuit of
Morgan, who was threatening our communica-
IN. a rJ Oh Ha NJ hQ
enemy. After a little the route became rough
and our course changed to different points of
the compass often that the speculation upon
the subject at length ceased. The enemy seemed
to have been in like auandary respecting our
movements which we suppose was exac fly what
our commanding general desired
'On the afternoon of the 23d, after one of the
pleasantest marches body of troops ever made,
though the weather cold and we had to
wade streams where the ice had to be broken.
we reached our first hating place-the banks of
a little stream known as Bedsoes creek. was
to learn. years afterwards, the romance which
gave it that designation. That day the weather
had moderated the light fall of snow had dis
appeared, and the Oath dawned as balmy and
beautiful day as southern sun ever shone
the afternoon of Christmas. We were camped
In a splendid position for the colonel though
he had been in the service but six months,
a born soldier. and if somewhat reckless in I'M
dertakinc difficulty, was alert and watchful
lynx.
''Of course marching in light order our ra-
fare varied it might have been. The old
fields about the bivouac full of game rab-
bits and quail. The men used every device to
catch the former whenever they could be started
within the guard lines. but not with much
cess. The near approach of Christmas awak
ened a relish for luxuries well softened the
hearts of those in authority. On the suggestion
OF the quartermaster it was decided by the
colonel to give the boys rabbit hunt
Il am something of sportsman, but must
confess that anything like that hunt ] have
T. ia raOy ant yypr
marched out to regular positions selected by the
commander and marked b. the guides the
sides of various old fields where the sedge grass
grew waist high These were intersected by
small streams which the elders grew dense |
and dark. Here they stacked arms. The wood |
and roads were Picketed and guard was set
over the guns. The field officers remained |
mounted. and one in each regiment was required |
to remain with the guns. Then each man was
directed to cut a good stout club, and thus |
equipped returned to the ranks. Thus far all |
was mystery to the men. When the companies |
were reformed. each regiment formed hollow |
square In single file so as to inc1ose as much |
space possible. Then the order inward |
facet was given and the four sides begun to |
close in upon the center. One universal shout |
pretended the character of the movement.
Then everyone addressed himself to the sport
1t seemed as If every square yard of sedge grass
hid rabbit, and as the lines closed in on each
other the medley of staring eyes. Tapping ears,
the men. ludicrous. When one field was
exhausted the same tactics pursued with
another. The sport was boisterous and excit-
ing Everybody joined in it except those de-
tailed to keep watch, and when we marched
back to bivouac laden with rabbits, persim-
mons and mlstietoe, L never saw more jubi
liant and rollicking set of men. Booths of ever
green and mistletoe were made the game
cooked and eaten took our Christmas dinner
in advance-for the soldier never gives credit to
to morrow for what may be enjoyed to-day. |
The jollifcation lasted well into the night, and |
in of the brigade headouarter tents a jug of
peach brandy and can of honey which some
ono had haan Sh1Qyy 1yh TO- hos of |
farmhouse we had passed the day before.
abled US to drink the health of absent loved
ones in truly enjoyable tipple."
A loud smack interrupted the speaker at this |
point. and looking toward the door of the saloon
all were convulsed at the curious contortions of
the porter who was going through the manual
of tasting and swallowing way to show that
peach-and honey was no stranger to his gusta-
tory organs.
La, Marse Capting. he said, with a military
salute ''Nebber 'spected to heah bout dem
times out hear dis railroad. Thought l
knowed yer face tho at the berry fust-"
What's that We're You there too, Johng'
prise; for after all old comradeship takes small
account of color.
abouts." said the porter, showing his teeth
''Where2n
oval sir, war jest ober de odder side Oh dat
big swamp with crowd of Mars John Morgin's
raiders. sab An when you was got to currin'
OH so, dey jes' lowed dat de berry time ter
go in UNI stampede de whole lot Dey wasn't
enuH Oh EN-, yer see, TO me- buC Ocy lux an |
sent out scouts dat crep up clus an spy |
out dat lam. yer kno, an fore God dey cum
back. dey did. an said dem damn Yankees
wasn't drunk at all, but war jest letten ter
git folks ter pitch in, don't yer kno' Dey
said dey he'd der guards all out an war jes' cold
sober singing Christmas hymns an psalm tchunes
ez if ther big meetin gwine on thar. So
our folks-de confederates. yer kno'-dey thout
hit war best ter git up and git outer dar an let
Marse Morg'in kno all bout it, yer kno. But
wasn't able ter march myself dat night Least
was got lost in dat dar swamp, an mex mornin'
Numbered inter de camp an got TUX prisner, l
lid. So I cluded ter change sides an been
vukkin' fer myself ebber sence. Dat was de
sort OBJ Christmas fer me, Mars Cap'n-sho'ly
was"
But never heard of that before" said the
captain in surprise
aspect not" said the porter with a shrug
Hit all so. do an I went back to Nashville with
7ou uns an stayed dar till mos de s'render, an
rf